Victory star Berisha set to debut for Kosovo

Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha expects to make his debut for Kosovo – the country of his birth – in next month's World Cup qualifier against Iceland.

Berisha has previously played international football for Albania, representing them 17 times, but had a special clearance approved by FIFA in January to switch to Kosovo, which only became a FIFA member in 2016.

The 31-year-old forward told reporters on Thursday that he wants to play for Albert Bunjaki's team when they host Iceland in only the fifth World Cup qualifier in Kosovo's history on March 24.

"At this stage it looks like I'm going to go – my first game to play for Kosovo," Berisha said.

"So for me it's a very exciting time because I decided to go and I hope I have a great time."

Victory's marquee forward was born in Kosovo's capital Pristina in 1985 when it was still a part of Yugoslavia but grew up in Germany, and made his debut for Albania – like many other Kosovars before and since – in 2006.

Berisha is on track to have his best season in the A-League in 2016-17, with his brace in last week's 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners taking him to 16 goals for the campaign.

He has seven matches plus finals to score five goals and match his haul from his maiden A-League season in 2011-12 with Brisbane Roar.